Sleep pods available for busy city workers

A Chinese company have created "sleep pods" for busy city workers to nap on their lunch breaks.

Sleep pods available for busy city workers

July 27, 2017

Xiangshui Space have opened nap capsules in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, where a person can pay just $1.50 per half hour to get a good rest before they head back to work.

It is charged to the person via the in-app wallet on WeChat, which is China's most-used messaging app, and each pod comes with a blanket, a USB and power plugs. Entry into the pod can be accessed using a special code to be scanned on a phone.

Han Yue, the start-up's operations manager, said: "Many professionals have a difficult time finding a nice private place to nap."

The firm are planning to expand to the likes of Qingdao, Nanjing and Shenzhen.

However, they have had a setback recently after the pods were temporarily closed over safety concerns less than a month after they were launched.

Beijing police reportedly suspended operations after claiming "the capsules may become a shelter for criminals because users don't need to check in with their ID cards" and could pose a fire risk whilst Shanghai police said the pods were like a hotel but didn't hold the appropriate safety licenses or permits.

Dai Jiangong, CEO of Beijing Xiangshui Technology, said: "Local authorities will allow us to make some adjustments and then reopen. For example, we will install a smoke detector in the capsule. We are also discussing changes to our business model."

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